Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata | Japan)

I watch the JLeague and imo Fitzgerald is better than Smith, his personal skills (first touch, passes, reading of the game) are superior to Smith. Fitzgerald has a high completion rate (successful passes forward to attacking players). However it would depend on what a coach is looking for - if you want a smash, bash, crash player then Smith is your man and I would say Smith might be better in the air. The China game confirmed it for me as well. 

I would say the reason Fitzgerald is being chased by Urawa Red Diamonds (the biggest JLeague club in Japan) is probably because of his attacking ability as a defender. If he goes to Urawa Red Diamonds he could be playing in the ACL and then you might get a chance to watch him in NZ.

I would be hoping that when the day comes that Fitzgerald plays for us once again that room is found for both of them in the same team. That may involve him playing as defensive midfielder, a position I understand he has payed before?

He played there a few years ago in the lower J Leagues... so not sure he is the answer.

Still good to have the option. If he did return, I could see us reverting to 3 at the back. I have faith in Storm Roux as a wing back and also think Doyle could do this effectively.

Depends if he wants to come back to the NZ national team.

Can't blame him for that, really.

It would look like

                          Moss

               Fitz    Reid    Smith

Storm                                        Doyle

                    Tuiloma McG

Barbs              Rojas                 Thomas

                       Wood

Remembering in the game against China, McG did play deeper than normal I think this would potentially appeal to Hudson. You keep on our best possession based players and strengthen our backline.

Difference between this and Rickis line up is Jeremy Christe is missing thankfully.

We should do better with 12 players on the pitch

Sure Hudson would love to play this formation. if Fifa would let him

Not necessarily. I can only assume that 'Fitz' is referring to me, in which case it's probably worse than having nobody there at all.

You never know though, maybe part of the new gaffer's focus on youth is to recruit someone whose football career peaked aged 12 when he made the Taupo Intermediate interschools team. You know where to find me Mr Hudson.

Oops,

Meant Fitzgerald.

I'd probably drop Rojas atm ahead of Barbs...

I'd put James in there somewhere... Would you still play the mids and forwards listed above after todays game?  I would'nt, Barbs, Rojas and Thomas too similar to each other and really are not leathal enough in front of goal.  McG plays better further forward also I feel.

Would this Fitz give up nearly everything to play for his country?

Well obviously not because he already has chosen club over country.

This Fitz has never been asked that before, but was prepared to risk life and limb for the Taupo under 12's, so presumably the answer would be yes.

What a shame you are not the Fitz we want! However I do wonder if you would be prepared to risk the loss of a decent salary for a country who rubbished you after one game?

Don't cry. Its all about opportunity. He was given one and never took it at the time. I respect since then, things have changed somewhat.

Not crying, just stating the obvious. 

But you would say that JV as you were one of his worst critics. Amazing that you've never written anyone else off as fast - did he do something to you  in a previous life? NZ would hardly have anyone playing for them as I think many players never take their ONE opportunity. 

As I've said before I doubt very much he suddenly became a good player, you only need to look at the players who haven't progressed -Vincent, Clapham, Hogg, Peverley, Boxall to name a few. He had the goods, it was just unfortunate for him Ricki no vision was the coach at the time and a good number of the NZ public wanted to blame someone (me included) and he was lucky enough to be it!

I have been watching the JLeague and I wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese selected him for their team, so yes as far as NZ is concerned things have changed somewhat.

I was one of his biggest critics. I also acknowledge that the landscape has changed as well. It is possible to change positions. I'm not beating down the doors to get him back in the squad though either you might note.

At the time, he had a shot and did not take it. He is also a more established player now than he was back then so things do change.

I have written others off in the past and changed my tune as well. Still think Krishna will be a bust but it looks like I will be wrong on that. I thought Cunningham would be a star and I was wrong on that. I changed my tune on Hogg. I thought Totori would be a bust and I thought that Vincent was a dumb AW choice and was right on Kris Bright beign another dud. I am just a fan like you that has an opinion and I can be wrong as well as get some right. I am big enough to admit that.

The test will be if he gets another shot and stands up.

Point taken JV. 

As I've said before we do have enough defensive players that we don't really need him. However IMO he is a NZ defender who is up there as far as quality goes. I think he is better than Smith but others who watch the JLeague might think differently. IMO they are not really comparable as they are two different types of players. Reid IMO is NZ's best CB. 

If he comes back, it will be interesting what NZ fans will think, as "Standing Up" is likely to mean two different things to two different fans. Fans consider different things when judging a player's performance and so does a coach. As I've said in the Thailand thread, there was no denying the quality of Ryan Thomas even though other fans might think he went missing for a good part of the second half and therefore wasn't great.

Why would you play our best attacking player (and perhaps best player fullstop) at WB?

or you would if it made the team as a whole stronger.

As good as he is shaping to be, he is not good enough to win a game by himself and the team can't and shouldn't be built around him.

Does anyone know if he wants to play for NZ?

I got the impression he did from the 3 news clip. but it was a while ago

I'm surprised he didn't make the last squad huh...Hope Hudson is aware of him

He is not available as he doesnt have a japanese pasport 

I think you must mean he doesn't have a NZ passport because he renounced it to take out Japanese citizenship so he could play as a local in the J-League?

It's a shame......Sounds like he would add quite a lot to the squad

Hudson is very good with words. Maybe he can talk a J league club up into signing him as an import

sadly signed a new contract

How long for?

doesnt say, could be 1 year but the press release was not clear and only 2 lines